A man has been arrested after a huge blaze destroyed a historic mill in Staffordshire on Friday night.

Emergency services were called to The Big Mill on Mill Street, Leek, Staffordshire at around 9.35pm (March 27).

The huge blaze in the Grade II listed building saw nearby homes evacuated as a precaution and the public warned to stay away from the area. Residents of the surrounding areas were also advised to keep doors and windows closed.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue said they had six crews and an aerial ladder platform at the scene of a large fire.

Various road closures were in place in the surrounding area while firefighters tackled the flames - with the A523 Mill Street and the neighbouring Bellevue remaining closed this morning (March 28).

An 18-year-old man, from Leek, has now been arrested on suspicion of arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered. He remains in custody, reports say.

A council report last year revealed that the six-storey Big Mill remained unoccupied and has planning permission to be converted into 34 flats.